To enable the staff to better serve South Carolina Baptists, the April meeting of the South Carolina Baptist Convention commenced a new organization for convention staff.

This new organizational structure contains three cross-functional, strategic positions of Leadership, Evangelism and Discipleship which will permeate the entire ministry. This will enrich the work of Convention staff as these three areas become intregal parts of every ministry area. The new structure also consists of several Associate Executive Directors to lead each ministry area.

Led by Dr. Jim Austin, Executive Director-Treasurer, this organization process sought input from Directors of Mission, South Carolina Convention Executive Board members, and Convention staff. Prior to Board approval the Administrative Committee and the Planning & Ministries Committee of the Executive Board reviewed and recommended the plan to the full Board.

With a new vision to Urgently Take The Whole Gospel To The Whole World – That All May Be Whole, the new organization structure will focus on the goal of each Convention staff member will be to provide servant leadership with Kingdom partners.

As a part of the organization plan, Dr. Austin outlined for the Board the core principles/values for the staff.

The Staff Covenants To:
Pray Continuously (2 Tim 1:3)
Lead with humility (2 Tim 1:3; 2:24)
Model Integrity (2 Tim 1:3; 2:15,22)
Minister to multiply (2 Tim 2:2)
Preach and teach authoritatively (2 Tim 1:8; 3:16)
Evaluate biblically (2 Tim. 4:17)
Relate as family (2 Tim 1:2; 2:1)

In addition to these essential standards, the Board approved a new theme that builds on the Empowering Kingdom Growth strength…focusing on the Kingdom. The new focus hones in on three powerful words: Experiencing Kingdom Life. Experiencing Kingdom Life will be unveiled with a major theme presentation at the annual meeting of the South Carolina Baptist Convention in November.